Federal Safety Regulations

The Oregon Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Transportation Division administers and enforces Oregon motor carrier-related laws and rules, as well as most U.S. DOT safety regulations in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations that apply to motor carriers operating in Oregon:

Besides citations that may be issued at a weigh station or at the roadside, motor carriers found in violation of regulations can be subject to enforcement action by ODOT´s Motor Carrier Division. Enforcement may involve a notice to cease and desist or a formal action leading to the assessment of monetary penalties. Formal actions may also result in the suspension or cancellation of operating authority.

In formal civil monetary penalty actions, the carrier involved is served a Notice of Proposed Penalty Order. The Notice cites the statutes or rules the carrier allegedly violated, proposed penalties, and possible settlement options. Settlement options include: (1) admitting the violations and demonstrating to staff that remedial action was taken, which may contribute to penalty reduction, (2) settling the disputed issues with staff, or (3) denying some or all of the allegations and requesting a hearing to resolve the matter. Hearings are conducted through the Employment Department, Office of Administrative Hearings, Oregon Department of Transportation Section. Hearings give the carrier and Motor Carrier Division staff a chance to present evidence before an administrative law judge. The results of all cases are then detailed in a Final Order sent to the parties involved.